Wearing bows and throwing elbows

STOCKTON - Pacific's new starting small forward wears pretty bows in her blonde hair, but isn't afraid to throw her elbows.

Jagdip Dhillon

STOCKTON - Pacific's new starting small forward wears pretty bows in her blonde hair, but isn't afraid to throw her elbows.

Sophomore Sam Pettinger has helped the Tigers (12-9, 5-4 Big West Conference) win two of their three games since she entered the starting lineup two weeks ago in place of injured junior Ashley Wakefield (ankle). Coach Lynne Roberts said Pettinger has brought a harder edge to the Tigers, who host UC Riverside (5-17, 3-7) at 5 p.m. today at Spanos Center. Pacific beat the Highlanders 80-59 on Jan. 7 in Riverside.

"Sam has done a great job because of her steady demeanor," Roberts said. "She looks like a girly-girl with her hair and painted up nails, but she'll take your head off. She might be the most competitive kid I've coached. She's gotten her shot and she's not going to play tentatively."

Pettinger might lack Wakefield's athleticism and scoring ability - Wakefield was averaging 12.3 points per game before she got hurt - but she gives constant effort and understands her role.

"My role was to bring energy off the bench and the challenge now is to do that with the starters," said Pettinger, who's averaging five points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game as a starter. "It's such a faster pace and with more minutes, you have to be dialed in physically and mentally. I know I can create shots for others and work hard on defense."

Pettinger was a backup point guard and shooting guard last season and this season before Wakefield tore her right posterior tibial tendon against UC Davis on Jan. 21. Pettinger, who played both wing positions at Archbishop Murphy High in Everett, Wash., said having roommates Kendall Rodriguez and Erica McKenzie on the floor with her in the starting lineup has helped ease her transition.

"We're really close on and off the court. We're together all the time, so it wasn't hard clicking with them on the court," Pettinger said.

Rodriguez said Pettinger's studious nature and work ethic has allowed her to contribute in every role that's been asked of her.

"Sam works her tail off the time and never gives up," Rodriguez said. "She's feisty and annoying on defense. She's all up in your grill all the time."

That's quite a compliment, considering Roberts told Pettinger to work on her agility and defense in the offseason. Pettinger embraced the challenge and worked on her conditioning and quickness during the summer.

"She's improved a ton defensively," Roberts said. "It's a night and day difference from last year."